Post by Ghost Spike on Sept 25, 2016 19:26:37 GMT
I gave you the chance for a one on one, y’know James? I gave you the chance to fight me like a man, and either crumble under my greatness, or legitimise yourself as a solid Man of Steel champion. You didn’t take it though, no matter how you spin it, you chickened out. You hid behind paperwork and bureaucracy, something you’ve probably done ever since you tried to make MY Empire into something it never could be…..corporate.
It’s almost like you were a blueprint for Roberto Verona before he even decided to lace up his boots in the first place. Oh, I’m not stupid enough to claim you’re ripping him off...or vice versa, t be honest. I just know you. I’ve known you for a long ass time, around ten years, right? Way back in XHF when you had your epic feud with your brother MGK…
That nobody cared about.
The Karn brothers, a wrestling prodigy….except that nobody cared about you. People only gave a shit about Mike, tell me….what does it feel like to be the least successful twin brother? The one nobody cares about? See...I wouldn’t know…
Maybe try asking Brad.
See, I don’t know what it is like to have someones light shine brighter than yours, because I’m the brightest fucking star in the sky James. I’ve done it all, everywhere….but I’ve never held the Man of Steel Championship, and it piqued my interest when I saw you worm your way into shot, after shot. I figured, hey, why shouldn’t I get a shot if this jack ass can? I mean you lose to the champion, and then just bitch on twitter until you get another shot? ….yeah, that is what wrestling has become today. Nobody gets things done in the ring anymore, everyone just bitches on social media until they get what they want...well..
I want that fucking title.
You’re not worthy of holding that gold James, no seriously, I’m not saying it to piss you off, or undermine you…..no. The Man of Steel Championship has been held in such a high regard in IWF’s history, yeah there’s been some blips in the champion who has held it…but for the most part? They have been respectable, even legends. You have done nothing since you got here. You’ve lost match after match, and somehow, SOMEWAY, managed to get yourself a shot and sneak a victory so that you can finally claim to have done something worthwhile. The kicker is though JFK? Nobody buys it, nobody believes it…
You have an air of arrogance and swagger that you just don’t deserve.
You act like a big shot, like the world should take you seriously, but honestly J? Why should we bother? What makes you so much better than the Joe Everymans of this world? Why should we take you more serious than Johnny Gillmen? I mean he spends his time whining and complaining, and confusing the world, on twitter too….right? So, because you wear a suit? Because you spend about two hours styling your hair in the morning? Because you champion KIWA? Give me a fucking break…
No businessman in the history of businessmen has ever done anything for someone that didn’t directly reward them first.
You’re a fraud JFK.
You’re the biggest joke in IWF.
But forget whatever history we might have, forget the feuds I had with your brother….forget everything, just stand here now as representatives of IWF, and tell me….do you honestly think you have a chance? Do you really think you deserve to be above Bob Pooler, Dre Cutler, and myself? Not on our worst days James…..let’s be crystal clear here, you are not leaving Extreme Endurance with that championship, and I’m going to be as honest as I can, speak as plain as possible…
I will do everything within my power to make sure I am the man who walks away with that gold, and proclaim myself as the #RealMoS
~~~
It had been a long time since he’d spent any time like this. Time just relaxing on his own, reflecting on his thoughts, his life as it stands, and what the future may hold. Spike Kane lay on a lounge chair by the side of his pool, at his very expensive Boston home, and just smiled. After everything he had been through, things were finally going right for him. He had his son back, his ex-wife was falling back in love with him, and his job? His job was going better than anyone else his age, or who had been in the business as long as he had, and now….thanks to Laura Howlett, he had the contract that reflected that.
“Hey fuck bag”
The words caught him off guard, and immediatly wiped the smile off of his face. He opened his eyes, just in time to look up and see a duffel bag being thrown at him. He tried to catch it, or at least soften the blow as it collided with his stomach, before taking the time to take in the view of one seriously pissed off looking Freya Kane.
“Yeah, that’s the shit that you sent over for the kids. I’m not giving it to them, because as far as we’re all concerned? You died the moment you decided to fake cancer to the whole world!”
Poor Freya is so angry as she stands in front of Spike, he wonders for a moment how long she must have been trying to summon up the courage to come to him and say all this to his face. He doesn’t respond, however, he just places the bag on the floor, and swings his legs to the side, looking at the sun reflecting off the pool, rather than Freya.
“....how could you do that? How could you be so fucking callous?”
Still he doesn’t respond, he simply closes his eyes and tries to block everything out as he lets the barrage continue. Freya now moves in front of him, standing defiantly between Spike and the pool.
“...despite everything you’ve done, I’ve always loved you. I’ve always supported you, but not anymore Michael…..never again…”
Now Spike opens his eyes, he looks up at the woman standing before him and a burst of memories floods through his mind. He remembers picking up the frightened young girl from the Asylum. He remembers taking her in, and bringing him on the road with him. He remembers her begging him to train her how to wrestle, he even remembers her first match back in XHF…..he remembers the girl he had been led to believe was his younger sister, but before him….stood a woman. A woman he didn’t know, and a woman who had every right to hate him.
“I can’t explain it to you Freya, and I don’t think you’d let me if I could. For what it’s worth, I’m sorry we’ve grown so far apart, but no matter what...I’ll always love you. Even if you hate me, I’ll always love you.”
He stands up now, and tries to approach her for a hug, but she almost screams as she slaps him in the face and walks away shouting about him faking cancer, and not being able to come back from that. Spike puts a hand to where the slap landed, and looks off towards her but for the briefest of moments….a smirk spreads across his face.
~~~
This will be our third time in as many weeks locking horns Dre. You would think I'd run out of things to say to you, but that just isn't my style, is it? We both know that I could talk for days on end. The thing is though Dre? I told you from the get go that I respected you. That getting to the final of the Heir to the Throne was something to be proud of, that you put the entire roster in notice and made a name for yourself.
That's why you were put in a ring with me.
To test you.
Most people would see that, maybe even acknowledge it. Not you though, right? Because everything I've done in this business, the paths I've created for ungrateful shitheads like you, the gold I've won, the hall of fame rings I've collected. Those match of the year plaques? They mean nothing, because schmo Joe out there boos me, right? Everything I've done means nothing because YOU don't like the things I've done and said in my storied career. Let me tell you something Dre….if it weren't for me and those actions?
There would be no IWF.
You can thank me whenever your brain catches up.
We've gone at it in the ring two weeks in a row, and you've got the short end of the stick both times. What makes you think this time will be different? What makes you think you can do any better than what you have tried already? What makes you think you even deserve this match? I mean…. you're following JFK’s path of losing a title match, and getting another one as some messed up reward. Who the fuck made this match? You lost the biggest match of your career, then lost to my and whatever partner I had two weeks in a row and…..you're rewarded!?
Maybe Jake really did hit Verona in the head too much?
I’m not knocking your ability Dre, you have what it takes to be a star in this business, in this company, but you simply do not have what it takes to be better than me. You aren’t quite there just yet, but do I believe you could? Whole heartedly. See, no matter what people may say about me, I have a habit of spitting talent. I have a habit of being able to pick people out and tlel the world that this guy is going to be somebody, I did it with The Ace, I did it with Rob Diamond, hell I even did it with Renee Pleasant…..I know what it takes to be someone in this business, and I know if the person has what it takes deep inside to make it. You have it Dre, and I’m never going to deny that….the problems lie with your perception of the world, and your personality.
I get it Dre, you’re persecuted.
You’re not the only one.
Oh, before you try to explain to me how I don’t understand remember the fact that I’m irish, and I descend from a very anti-british, very pro-IRA family. Those old signs that used to be in the windows of pubs and shops? Remember them?
NO BLACKS.
NO DOGS.
NO IRISH.
Yeah, we were considered lower than dogs. Funny how since nine eleven nobody seems to stereotype the irish as terrorists anymore, huh? Funny how we have the stereotype of being backwards, drunk, and happy. Perception is one thing, truth is another. How the world sees you is only influenced by stereotypes to a certain degree, if you then play out that image? That is on you. For me? I couldn’t give a flying fuck if you were a purple people eater….all that matters to me is that ring, and whether or not you can hang in there and prove that you belong.
So far, you’re failing that test after such a promising start.
Don’t worry though Dre, I’m sure once you lose this title match and give me the respect I demand as the new Man of Steel champion, one actually worthy of holding such a respected belt? They’ll give you yet another shot….I’m sure of it, maybe you’ll get a crack at the Invictus title? Or maybe hell will open up and you’ll get a shot at Cable…
Man, that’d be fun to watch, eh? Cable kicking your ass again?
For now though? I guess I’ll just have to take matters into my own hands. It’s about time you learned a lesson about who I really am Dre. It’s about time you got down on your fucking knees, and paid me the respect I am due….it’s time for you to Hail to the King, baby.
~~~
“So...she’s pissed?”
A chuckle comes from Spike, more than an actual response as he nods his head to signal an actual answer. He ruffles his sons hair as he finishes eating the bite of apple in his mouth, before looking over to River, tilting his head as he does.
“Yeah. She wasn’t exactly thrilled about the whole stunt. Just like the boys in the back and millions of fans world wide….but that was exactly my point. That was exactly the idea, everyone knows about it….everyone hates me...my name is on the lips of every news caster, every blogger, every youtuber….and anyone who ever lost someone to cancer feels like they owe me an asskicking.”
The words hang in the air for a moment after he delivers them, almost as if he was announcing it to the world, truly, properly, for the first time since it was revealed that he had lied about having terminal lung cancer. Xander, oblivious to it all, continues munching down on his ham and cheese sandwich.
“Guess that explains the bags of flaming shit being left by our door….”
This makes Spike burst out laughing, and before long the laughter becomes infectious, and River too begins to laugh.
“I think that might actually be Freya y-kno-”
SMASH!!!!
All of a sudden the mood in the house changes, as the window next to the door just got smashed in by a huge rock. Spike immediately jumps to his feet and positions himself between the entrance and his son. River moves quickly to get behind him too, and Spike uses his hands to make sure he has him before heading towards the door. Another rock is thrown, but this time hits the door. Spike grabs a baseball bat from near the front door and swings it open, running out.
“YOU BASTARD!”
Rocks are thrown at him, but fall harmlessly near his sides instead. He drops the bat and moves towards the middle aged woman who has a hand full of rocks and tears streaming down her face. For a moment Spike’s face is filled with pity, and maybe even shame as he approaches her.
“Stay away from me you monster! I want my son! I WANT MY SON! WHERE IS HE!?”
Her screaming becomes hysterical as she runs at Spike and starts hammering him in his chest. Spike doesn’t retaliate though, he simply stands there and lets her get it all out. Slowly, but surely, he places one arm around her as she falls to her knees, and he goes down with her.
“I don’t down Anne…..I don’t know where he is….”
She cries into his chest, sobbing so much that her breathing becomes slow and haggard.
“What have you done to my boy? What have you done Michael? …...where is Warren!?”
As Spike kneels there, holding the woman, trying to calm her down his face shows one of pure determination, one of sorrow, and a face that seems to tell us…..he really doesn’t know where Warren is.
~~~
I love how you’ve finally begun to see things my way Bob. How you’ve finally brushed aside the arrogance, that shit-eating grin that you have, and realised….that you’re a Grade A asshole. That you really did let your friend down, and show the world how you only care about Bob Pooler, and nobody else….but, in your own words Bobbikins, did you really think it would be that easy?
Did you really think, at this point, after everything, a simple “sorry” would be good enough?
I hate to quote pop songs, but it’s too late to apologise.
Had you come to me right at the get go, it might be a different story Bob. We might be sitting in the backyard having a few drinks and reminiscing about past times, instead...you’re sweating yourself over the most brutal match you’ll have been in, in a long ass time. A steel cage, man of steel rules, and three men who really want to win. Do I care about JFK and his offer from KIWA? Not in the slightest. JFK doesn’t scare me, the Rednecks don’t scare me (though I find them entertaining as fuck) ….I have the House of Howlett to back me up - should I need them, but I am Spike fucking Kane, and I’m more than capable of handling things myself.
You see, the three of you all seem to forget, that I am the GOD of Xtreme, and come Extreme Endurance? I won’t be locked in a cage with the three of you…
You’ll be locked in there with me!
Cliche, but fuck it. I am the most violent man to ever step foot in this ring, or any ring for that matter. People have tested my claims, and tried me over the years, but one thing always remains the same. I walk out with my hand held high? And their career ends. I’ve been doing this for far longer than I should have any right to, but the reason I keep going? Is because I’m just so god damn good at it. I excel at causing people pain, and holding the crowd in the palm of my hand and dashing their hopes whenever I feel like it. I am a master of this game, and it’s taken me twenty years to become that. We’re approaching the anniversary of my debut Bob, did you know that? Of course you didn’t because you only care about yourself…..we approach the day I first walked into a ring in front of a live crowd and fell in love with this business…
Now here I am about to fight for a championship, do you really think I’m going to let anything stop me from having such a crowning moment to mark the occasion?
Thing between you and I have become toxic Bob, and it sucks that things are this way, it really does. I’d love to go back to the way they were, but you can’t, because you’ve changed. Everything about you has turned sour. You have no love for this business, you have no pride in your work, and you sure as shit do not have anything to say to me going forward. Yeah, you might have beaten me here, or you might have beaten me there...but the fact remains that you didn’t, and it’s starting to get to you….because you’re question yourself, you’re question everything.
Should you have bothered coming back?
Should you have stuck your nose in my business?
Should you have left after the House of Howlett kicked your ass?
Should you even be in this title match?
Let’s be clear here Bob, brutally honest as one can be. There is only one reason why you are in this match….ME! You are only in this match because the company wants to make money off of us fighting, off of Spike Kane headlining YET ANOTHER IWF pay per view event. Not Bob Pooler, I mean what the fuck drawing power does that name even have anymore? It’s the name of a has-been….a has-been who is almost a never-was, in fact to everyone but his friends, that’s probably exactly what you are. I mean, do JFK and Dre Cutler even know who you are? Lord knows they’d have to subscribe to the IWF Network (for only 9.99) and search for your matches…..as they aren’t going to be the highlight of any show…
….ever.
You’re just back to your old place Bob. Riding off of my coat tails, but come Extreme Endurance? It’s over. No more. I’m done with you. I’m going to beat ten shades of shit out of you, just like you asked me to. I’m going to get my therapy in, in a way that only works for me. Then I’m going to embarrass you and eliminate you from the match first. THEN, I’m going to go on and become the IWF Man of Steel. I’m going to drag that division back up to where it belongs, and bring the prestige to the belt that has been missing for so long, and you? You go to the back of the line, or...you know, back to the unemployment line.
I don’t care either way.
All that matters Bob, is I’m going to smash your fucking face in….and one way or another, I’m leaving with that belt. That, is the most conviction I’ve ever had in my mind when I say this. I WILL be the next Man of Steel Champion, and I WILL…
Make the man of steel great again.
Well howdy there pardner.